The Benoni police and the Community Policing Forum (CPF) are urging pedestrians to be extra vigilant to avoid falling victim to street robberies.
This comes after a number of incidents were reported in Benoni recently.
According to a local WhatsApp crime group, a woman was robbed on the morning of July 24 on the corner of Whitehouse Avenue and Patterdale Road, Farrarmere, and on July 22, three occupants in a silver or grey Chevrolet Aveo tried to rob a man of his cellphone in Greybe Street, Rynfield, at around 5.30pm.
The vehicle stopped next to the man and the occupants asked for directions before a struggle ensued over the cellphone.
ALSO READ:
Man wanted in fatal collision case arrested in Benoni CBD
According to the Benoni police, on July 16 at around 6.20am a woman, who was walking with a colleague in 7th Avenue, Northmead, was robbed of her handbag.
Benoni SAPS spokesperson Capt Nomsa Sekele said two men held the women up with a gun before grabbing the handbag and taking off in the direction of the train station.
An hour earlier, 6am, two women walking to work on 7th Avenue, Northmead, were robbed off their handbags by two men, one armed with a gun.
Benoni CPF public relations officer Marinda Beukes confirmed the incidents posted on the WhatsApp group.
She said it appears the criminals are targeting the vulnerable, like domestic workers on their way to work.
“One of the women’s handbags was found with all her belongings in it but, unfortunately, no contact number.
“It seems the criminals only take what they can get rid of quickly, like money and cellphones.
“Victims must open a case because if the police have all the information, with descriptions of the suspects, they can identify a trend and profile of the criminals – this is how the police can assist in protecting the vulnerable,” Beukes said.
Sekele said the culprits, who are usually in pairs or threes, carry knives or firearms.
“We are also urging learners to be careful as these robbers are targeting both workers and school children who are walking,” she said.
Beukes said most children listen to music while walking which makes them more vulnerable as they are not able to hear a person or car approaching.
Sekele said in the cases reported to date, the suspects are only targeting cellphones and handbags.
“We urged anyone who has been a victim of this type of crime to open a case,” she said.
The spokesperson added that police are still looking for the driver and passengers of a white Quantum (three or four occupants) in connection with robbing passengers who board the taxi.
“The taxi is operating in the late afternoons around the Benoni area,” said Sekele.
“No new cases have been reported, however we urge commuters to be vigilant and report any incidents.”
The SAPS and CPF provided these safety tips:
• Do not have your cellphone in your hand when walking in the street.
• Always be vigilant and aware of your surroundings.
• If you are attacked, do not resist. Try to get a good look at the criminals so that you can give the police a description/identify them later.
• Be aware of being followed and of who is approaching you when walking.
• Do not ignore taxis stopping near you – always take note of the passengers disembarking.
• Whenever possible, walk in groups.
• Don’t talk to strangers.
